HHS Awards Sterling Computers $77,821 for Dell Laptop Supplies Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $77,821 ($77.8K)
Contractor: Sterling Computers Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 173 days
Daily Burn Rate: $450/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NIAAA: SUPPLIES - THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE DELIVERY ORDER IS AWARDED FOR DELL PRO 14 PLUS (PB14250) BASE AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS TO STERLING COMPUTERS CORP. - SEVERABLE QUOTE# Q-00740211 / CS-122499
Place of Performance
Location: NORTH SIOUX CITY, UNION County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57049
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $77,821.2 to STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION for work described as: NIAAA: SUPPLIES - THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE DELIVERY ORDER IS AWARDED FOR DELL PRO 14 PLUS (PB14250) BASE AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS TO STERLING COMPUTERS CORP. - SEVERABLE QUOTE# Q-00740211 / CS-122499 Key points: 1. The contract focuses on IT hardware, specifically Dell laptops and accessories. 2. Sterling Computers Corporation is the awardee, with the contract valued at $77,821. 3. The procurement method was full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 173 days, indicating a short-term need for these supplies.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $77,821 for IT supplies appears reasonable given the specified items. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for bulk laptop purchases would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing. The use of a delivery order suggests it may be part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract or a standalone competitive bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to result in fair market pricing, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for these IT supplies.
Public Impact
Federal employees will receive new Dell laptops and accessories, potentially improving productivity. The award supports a specific IT hardware vendor, Sterling Computers Corporation. The procurement process ensures a degree of transparency and fairness in government spending. The short duration suggests these are immediate or project-specific hardware needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price fluctuations in IT hardware market.
- Dependence on a single vendor for specific accessories.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear definition of IT supplies required.
- Defined delivery period.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically IT hardware procurement. Government spending on IT equipment is substantial, and benchmarks vary widely based on quantity, specifications, and vendor.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Sterling Computers Corporation, is not identified as a small business in this data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if this was a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a delivery order under a competitive process suggests standard procurement oversight. Accountability lies with NIH to ensure delivery meets specifications and the price remains fair throughout the contract period.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or a pilot program.
- Lack of detailed specifications for IT hardware.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.
- Potential for price volatility in the IT hardware market over the contract period.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, sd, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $77,821.2 to STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION. NIAAA: SUPPLIES - THIS FIRM FIXED PRICE DELIVERY ORDER IS AWARDED FOR DELL PRO 14 PLUS (PB14250) BASE AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS TO STERLING COMPUTERS CORP. - SEVERABLE QUOTE# Q-00740211 / CS-122499
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $77,821.2.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific model and configuration of the Dell Pro 14 Plus laptops being procured, and how do these specifications align with typical federal IT requirements?
The provided data specifies 'DELL PRO 14 PLUS (PB14250) BASE AND RELATED ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS'. While the base model is identified, detailed specifications (e.g., processor, RAM, storage, operating system) are not included. Federal IT requirements often mandate specific configurations for standardization, security, and compatibility, which would need to be verified against the full contract details.
Given the firm-fixed-price structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate risks associated with potential price increases or supply chain disruptions for these IT components?
A firm-fixed-price contract generally places the risk of cost increases on the contractor. However, the government may have recourse if the contractor fails to deliver or if unforeseen circumstances (like extreme supply chain issues) are addressed in contract clauses. The short duration (173 days) may limit the exposure to significant market volatility.
How does the per-unit cost of these Dell laptops compare to similar government or commercial bulk purchases, and what does this indicate about the overall value for money?
Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. The total award of $77,821 for an unspecified number of laptops and accessories suggests a moderate investment. A comprehensive value assessment would require comparing the unit price against GSA Schedule pricing or other competitively awarded contracts for comparable hardware.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: CS-122499
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 303 CENTENIAL DR, NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD, 57049
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $77,821
Exercised Options: $77,821
Current Obligation: $77,821
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201500043W
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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